Important questions for Socialists

[SilverSpurs]

What role for individual freedoms?

Well the most obvious curtailment of freedom would be taking a much bigger chunk of my pay to fund projects that I might disagree with. So how much tax will I have to pay?

What about freedom of religon, its all well and good saying the state should not favour one religion over another but will the religion of secularism and anti-clericalism be imposed?

What about freedom of movement, most socialists states require the permission of the police to exit the state, some even require exit visas. Would i be free to travel or even emigrate?

Will I be punished for providing my own means of transport which I can use freely rather than using the state controlled means via "environmentalism".

Will I be able to take decisions for myself that might not be deemed "good for me" such as refusing medical treatment, many socialist states have compulsory medical treatment.

Will there be freedom of speech and assembly whereby I can criticise my governmet and socialist ideas?

To name a few important questions!

[Mossy Heneberry]

And don't forget their insistence on workers controlling the means of production. Which is a nonsense.

[PAD1OH]

are you trying to get someone to write a school essay for you?

[c_q_d]

Stop just thinking about yourself..

[Humbert]

What role for individual freedoms?

Well the most obvious curtailment of freedom would be taking a much bigger chunk of my pay to fund projects that I might disagree with. So how much tax will I have to pay?

What about freedom of religon, its all well and good saying the state should not favour one religion over another but will the religion of secularism and anti-clericalism be imposed?

What about freedom of movement, most socialists states require the permission of the police to exit the state, some even require exit visas. Would i be free to travel or even emigrate?

Will I be punished for providing my own means of transport which I can use freely rather than using the state controlled means via "environmentalism".

Will I be able to take decisions for myself that might not be deemed "good for me" such as refusing medical treatment, many socialist states have compulsory medical treatment.

Will there be freedom of speech and assembly whereby I can criticise my governmet and socialist ideas?

To name a few important questions!

Socialism is over because capitalism has always been better than socialism at delivering what socialism promises.

Turns out politicians and bureaucrats are not as good at delivering services than business people - its the mix of capitalism and socialism that gets the job done and its that mix that most people actually vote for.

[Disillusioned democrat]

Stop just thinking about yourself..

Or, in the socialists dream world - "Just stop thinking for yourself..."

[fuque]

The governments response to this is...."you are free to do as we tell you".

[hiding behind a poster]

Socialism is over because capitalism has always been better than socialism at delivering what socialism promises.

Turns out politicians and bureaucrats are not as good at delivering services than business people - its the mix of capitalism and socialism that gets the job done and its that mix that most people actually vote for.

Very true. No system of government in all of human history has produced the spectacular increases in living standards that capitalism has. Its also noticeable that in any country where socialism has become the system of government (as distinct from a socialist party just winning an election here and there), they've ended up erecting barriers - not to keep people out, but to keep people IN. The ultimate admission of failure.

[Mr. Bumble]

Very true. No system of government in all of human history has produced the spectacular increases in living standards that capitalism has. Its also noticeable that in any country where socialism has become the system of government (as distinct from a socialist party just winning an election here and there), they've ended up erecting barriers - not to keep people out, but to keep people IN. The ultimate admission of failure.

Indeed you are correct.

For example, 20% of Americans own 84% of American wealth
Living Beyond Your Means When You're Not Rich - Room for Debate - NYTimes.com


Unfettered capitalism produces spectacular increases for some.

[hiding behind a poster]

Indeed you are correct.

For example, 20% of Americans own 84% of American wealth
Living Beyond Your Means When You're Not Rich - Room for Debate - NYTimes.com


Unfettered capitalism produces spectacular increases for some.

No, I'm talking about spectacular increases for all. Measure over any length of time you like, and the standard of living for everyone has increased by more under capitalism than it has under any other system. Anyway, as an earlier poster said, we don't have unfettered capitalism. We have capitalism with a social element.